# Focusing vs Roots

The clearest difference is rating: Roots at 4.8 against Focusing's 4.4. Roots also leads on ratings volume (2.7K vs 58) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). Focusing's advantage is review sentiment (90% vs 75%) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Focusing sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per month and Roots sells 17 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Roots holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Roots has 2.7K ratings behind it against 58, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 90% of Focusing's written reviews are positive against 75% of Roots's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Focusing ships an update every 2 months, Roots every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Focusing | Roots |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.4 (58 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/focusing-keep-focused/id1492395642/reviews) | **[4.8 (2.7K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/roots-screen-time-control/id6446800962/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 58 | **2.7K** |
| Positive reviews | **90.5% of reviews** | 75.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 54 MB | 355 MB |
| Requires iOS | **10.0** | 18.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [晨铭 李](https://appshunter.io/developer/1468077452) | [MWM](https://appshunter.io/developer/452269707) |

## What reviewers say

### Focusing

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/focusing-keep-focused/id1492395642)

This tool helps you avoid phone distractions and cultivate an efficient lifestyle. Select an image, start a focus session, and watch virtual grass grow as you concentrate. If you use your phone during a session, it will end automatically.

**Highlights:** Virtual grass growth visualization, Focus session timer, Automatic session termination on phone use, Customizable focus images, Develops efficient lifestyle habits

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 连续包月会员 | $1.49 | per month |
| 连续包季会员 | $3.99 | per 3 months |
| 连续包年会员 | $14.99 | per year |
| 六十颗种子 | $0.99 | one-time |
| 三百颗种子 | $4.99 | one-time |


### Roots

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/roots-screen-time-control/id6446800962)

This app helps you regain control of your phone usage by setting app limits, scheduling downtime, and participating in detox challenges. It provides insights into your screen time habits and offers features like 'Monk Mode' for focused periods. Aimed at improving well-being and reducing phone addiction.

**Highlights:** App and website blocking, Scheduled downtime, Phone detox challenges, Monk Mode for strict blocking, Digital dopamine monitoring, Daily goals and progress tracking, Personal balance score

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (17)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Roots Plus - Monthly Plan | $6.99 | per month |
| Premium | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Roots Plus - Weekly Plan | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Roots - Monthly Plan | $9.99 | per month |
| Roots Plus - Monthly Plan | $9.99 | per month |
| Roots - Monthly Plan | $19.99 | per month |
| Premium Pass | $19.99 | per month |
| Roots Plus - Annual Plan | $29.99 | per year |
| Premium | $39.99 | per year |
| Roots Plus - Annual Plan | $49.99 | per year |
| Premium Pass | $59.99 | per year |
| Roots Plus - Annual Plan | $59.99 | per year |
| Premium | $69.99 | per year |
| Roots Plus - Annual Plan | $79.99 | per year |
| Premium | $99.99 | per year |
| Premium Pass | $99.99 | per year |
| Premium Pass | $99.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Helpful for reducing screen time
- 🚀 Effective in cutting down app usage
- 💡 Customizable app blocking and downtime settings
- 👍 Intuitive and user-friendly interface
- 👍 Responsive customer support

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional performance issues and bugs
- 🐛 Inconsistent app blocking and unblocking
- 🐛 Inaccurate screen time tracking
- 🐛 Difficulty deleting account or changing subscription
- 🐛 Frustrating when apps are locked unexpectedly

**Reported bugs**

- Apps getting blocked when they shouldn't be
- Screen time data not syncing correctly
- Frequent app crashes and freezes
- Subscription issues and inability to cancel
- Trouble with the initial setup and syncing

**Requested features**

- Home screen and lock screen widgets
- Customizable challenges and ability to share with friends
- More options for the 'Do Not Disturb' mode
- Improved analytics and progress tracking
- Ability to easily adjust app limits without resetting


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Focusing free?

Focusing is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Roots free?

Roots is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Focusing or Roots?

Roots is rated higher. Focusing averages 4.4 out of 5 from 58 ratings, while Roots averages 4.8 from 2.7K ratings.

### Do Focusing or Roots have ads?

Neither Focusing nor Roots shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Focusing or Roots?

Focusing ships an update every 2 months, and Roots every 3 weeks. Most recently, Focusing was updated on October 2, 2026 and Roots on October 1, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*